Mission Accomplished!
The Spirit of Education arrived for its 8-day mission at the Pioneer Airport on the grounds of the EAA in Oshkosh on Sunday, July 25. The area, at least for the 8-days of AirVenture, is known as KidVenture.
On Sunday morning, the shuttle was quickly made ready for the anticipated thousands of visitors who would begin arriving Monday morning. And did they ever! From 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 to 2:30 on Sunday, the Spirit of Education welcomed guests from all over the US and around the world.
The mission of the Dream Flight USA Foundation, a 501 C-3 foundation, is to motivate students in the elementary grades to learn. The hands-on work station on board the shuttle are designed to do just that.
While the work-stations on board the shuttle were simply on display, some of the hands-on activities were moved to the adjacent hangar where students and parents tested their skills working a mechanical arm and a rubber band powered rocket launcher. Another activity, which demonstrates the difficulty of working in space, definitely challenged the skills of the participants.
And some really good news to share with you; The shuttle and crew have been invited back to next year's AirVenture 2011.
